Essential Guide to Becoming a Health Information Technician
Becoming a health information technician involves more than understanding medical records; it’s about playing a crucial part in the healthcare industry. This article provides an overview of how these professionals manage sensitive health data, outlines the essential education and certifications required, and projects the career pathways that come with this dynamic role.
Jump into the world of health information technicians, where precision, privacy, and patient care meet technology.
Key Takeaways
- Health information technicians are key players in managing patient data, ensuring accuracy of health records, and maintaining compliance with privacy laws. Their responsibilities extend from coding and billing to preventive patient safety measures.
- Educational pathways for this career include a high school diploma, postsecondary certificate, associate’s degree, or bachelor’s degree in health information management, with higher education leading to more advanced roles and possibly the necessity of certification.
- Professional certifications such as RHIT and CCS are crucial for advancing careers in health information technology, demonstrating expertise in medical coding and the maintenance of patient records according to national standards.
Discovering the Role of a Health Information Technician
Health information technicians, otherwise referred to as medical records specialists, hold a prime position in the healthcare industry. They are responsible for gathering comprehensive patient information, including treatments and follow-ups, to provide data for various purposes like legal requests and medical record accessibility. They also employ classification software to encode medical information, safeguarding the confidentiality and precision of health records – a vital element in patient care and billing procedures.
Additionally, health information technicians:
- Offer administrative support
- Engage in team-oriented roles such as training, overseeing processes, and liaising with hospital leadership
- Necessitate effective communication skills
- Utilize advanced technological prowess for the secure management and storage of electronic patient data
- Ensure compliance with privacy laws such as HIPAA.
Daily Responsibilities
Health information technicians daily oversee patient data management, assure the accuracy of health records, and work in tandem with medical professionals. They use electronic medical records systems, which improve patient safety and the efficiency of healthcare delivery. Part of their daily tasks includes medical billing and coding, contributing to the revenue cycle of healthcare facilities.
They also perform the following tasks as medical registrars in the realm of medical services:
- Scrutinize, organize, and archive healthcare-related documents
- Maintain compliance with privacy laws
- Ready records for billing and insurance procedures
- Update medical records
- Transcribe notes
- Manage medical reporting
The role of health information technicians involves strong communication skills and attention to detail, as health information technicians work often in the field of health informatics.
Their analytical prowess plays a key role in determining the suitable coding for medical procedures and enabling efficient patient data sharing.
Workplace Settings
Various types of healthcare providers offer employment opportunities for health information technicians. The range of healthcare settings includes:
- Public and private hospitals
- Physician’s offices
- Specialty care facilities
- Technical and scientific consulting companies
- Government agencies
Work settings can have a substantial impact on the roles and responsibilities of health information technicians. For instance, their roles can vary from extensive interaction with multiple departments within hospitals to more focused duties within smaller medical offices.
Importance in Patient Care
Health information technicians are integral to patient safety and care. They support the delivery of quality healthcare by helping to prevent adverse outcomes or injuries that could result from healthcare processes. Their attention to detail is essential in preventing medical errors, such as mislogging patient allergies or vital signs.
Through regular review of patient data and medical records for accuracy and quality, health information technicians significantly enhance patient safety. They are responsible for ensuring that patient data is accurate and securely maintained in accordance with regulatory standards. Additionally, maintaining organized and accessible patient data in clinical databases and registries also falls under their purview.
Educational Pathways for Health Information Technicians
No matter the path chosen, education is a cornerstone in the journey towards becoming a health information technician. The field offers various educational pathways, ranging from a high school diploma, a postsecondary certificate, to an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Certificate and associate’s degree programs commonly include coursework in medical terminology, health data requirements and standards, and classification and coding systems.
Degree programs are specifically designed to prepare individuals for careers as health information technicians. Within health information technology, technicians can specialize in areas such as medical coding or becoming a medical records technician, each path having its own set of educational requirements.
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High School Diploma and Beyond
A high school diploma is the foundational step for individuals aiming to pursue a career as a health information technician. Courses in the following subjects at the high school level form a foundational knowledge base that is critical for future health information technicians:
- Math
- English
- Technology
- Sciences
In addition, business courses in high school impart skills that prove beneficial for administrative or office roles in health information technology. Health science, information technology, and business management courses in high school are advantageous for students interested in a health information technician career.
Associate Degree in Health Information Management
An associate degree in health information management encompasses a wide array of topics integral to a career as a health information technician. The curriculum includes:
- Electronic Health Records
- Medical Ethics
- Compliance and Patient Privacy
- Health Insurance Billing and Reimbursement
- Health Information Management
- Digital Health Technologies
In addition, the curriculum places great importance on medical terminology. This necessitates students learning the language applied in describing the human body, medical procedures, and medications.
Bachelor’s Degree and Higher Education
Earning a bachelor’s degree in health information management paves the way for mid and upper-level management positions in diverse healthcare settings, thus leading to better remunerated jobs and more opportunities for advancement. This degree qualifies individuals for specialized roles such as:
- medical records technician
- HIM consultant
- patient information coordinator
- HIM director
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from a program accredited by the CAHIIM are eligible to sit for the Registered Health Information Administration (RHIA) certification exam through AHIMA. AHIMA even provides students in their last term of a CAHIIM-accredited HIM bachelor’s program the opportunity to take the RHIA certification exam early.
Certification and Credentials
Professional certifications like the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) and Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) bear witness to the expertise of health information technicians and can boost their career opportunities. Candidates for certifications such as the CCS must have specific educational courses plus coding experience, or a minimum of two years of related coding experience, and must pass an exam.
The CCS and CPC examinations involve multiple-choice questions and medical scenarios, testing the proficiency of candidates in coding systems like:
- ICD-10-CM
- ICD-10-PCS
- CPT
- HCPCS Level II
The Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) certification is aimed at professionals specializing in coding inpatient and outpatient records, requiring expertise in the ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, and CPT coding systems.
The Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certification is valued for medical coding in physician office settings, where individuals must demonstrate knowledge in medical coding guidelines and regulations. Maintaining the CPC certification requires an active AAPC annual membership and earning 36 continuing education units every two years.
Skills and Qualities of Successful Health Information Technicians
To succeed in their roles, health information technicians require a unique amalgamation of skills and qualities. Some important skills and qualities for a health information technician include:
- Interpersonal skills
- Analytical skills
- Multitasking abilities
- Ethics
- Legal compliance skills
High school students interested in a health information technology career should focus on courses in mathematics, English, technology, sciences, and business to develop a foundation for their future role.
Working as a health information technician can be stressful and demanding, requiring effective stress management and adaptability in fast-paced healthcare environments.
Additional Resources and Career Support
For the career development of health information technicians, professional organizations, including those for health information professionals, serve as valuable resources. These professional organizations offer networking opportunities and continuing education for their members.
In addition, they offer conferences and updates on the latest industry trends, including labor statistics, fostering the professional growth of health information technicians.
The journey of becoming a health information technician involves a blend of education, certification, and the development of certain skills and qualities. With the healthcare industry continually evolving, the role of health information technicians has never been more crucial. Their contribution to patient care through the accurate and secure management of patient data is indispensable. So, if you’re considering a career in health information technology, remember that your role will be at the heart of delivering quality healthcare.